Juhász Magdolna (szerk.): A kaposvári Rippl-Rónai Múzeum közleményei 5. (Kaposvár, 2018)

M. Aradi Csilla: Adalék a pécsi székesegyház 12. századi építkezéséhez és a Sámson ciklus értelmezéséhez

Additional information to the 12. C. construction of the cathedral of Pécs and to the interpretation of the Samson cycle

CSILLÁM. ARADI

The archaeological excavations, art historical investigations, as well as the 18-19. C survey and other representations all yielded to the identification of traces of the 12. C constructions on the Basilica of Pécs. The enlargement of a smaller Romanesque window on the North side of the main apse, the position of cornices, the walled in arch on the West front, the position of side windows, the plan of a Western gallery, the chronological separation of the two pair of towers all add up to at least two Romanesque periods. It is probable that the cathedral had a largely decorated Western front with a Last Judgment scene, which was relocated during the gothic period. The stone carvings reflecting French influence originally were not placed at the crypt entrance. The irregularity of the entrances, the differences in measurement and form between

the two doors, the original window in the location of the Southern entrance all give evidence. A group of carvings was found in secondary position in the gothic pillars and walls, and behind the Samson relief a piece of the altar baldachin was located. Further anomalies could be traced at the dividing frame ornament of the entrances.

The fragmentary Samson cycle of Pécs is one of the fullest representations of the Biblical story in the Romanesque period. Out of the different descriptions the one depicting the tree-pulling Samson has no Biblical analogy. Its parallels were highlighted by Scheiber. Other non Biblical representations of the Samson narrative - his fight with a bear - can be traced in Southern Italy. Alongside with Christ, Hercules and the wild man show correlation with the medieval Samson figure.